Tuesday, November 3, 2015

How To Make Leather Mallets And Hammers

5. Wood mallet

Wood
or rawhide mallets are necessary when doing leather work, and thats to
preserve your tools. Ifg you go to hitting on your tools with metal
hammers you will soon deform and eventually destyroy your tools, and
thats not nice. Even though you can make your own tools after reading
this, its better to spend your time crafting leather articles with your
repertoire versus spending your time continually making more tools.
Many leather crafters use a rawhide mallet, and they are not too
expensive, but they can be replaced with a piece of heavy round wood
stock about a foot long. The harder the wood tyhe better, but scraps
work well too, and even rectangular or square pieces of the right length
can be used, though most people find the round cyclindrical stock
easier to handle. You may want to sand your wood mallets and even
varnish them. Do not spend too much time though because the end of your
wooden mallet will eventually become unusable and must either be
trimmed or another piece of wood obtained. Different sizes come in
handy because different weights serve different purposes. Large holes
need a heavier mallet, while smaller prong holes can be accomplished
uitre easily with smaller stock. If you whittle at all, and it is worth
learning if you can keep it safe, you can form a ball on the end of
your mallet then sand it smooth. Study the various types of rawhide and
wooden mallets available commercially and get an idea for yours.
Study the prices too and you will see the real value in making your own
striking units.

Types of wood for your mallets is important
to learn, a lot of people like maple but it is cost prohibitive, and all
the wood I have ever used splinters and chips over time, including
maple, which is one of the main reasons I try to make my own tools when I
can, because no matter the quality of some tools, wearing them out
quickly is sometimes inherent to the materials. Some newer mallets are
made out of nylon or other plastics, and I have seen a lot less wear on
them though they tend to bounce when hit. If you are into using a lathe
for wood you can easily make four or five mallets from 4x4 or 6x6 stock
that will last a long time. When one wears out throw it in the fire
and get another. Oak is a good wood, and some of the exotic hardwoods
too, but they can be pretty expensive unless you have a way of salvaging
pieces for use as hammers on your leather tools. I have salvaged some
very good wood over time from cabinet shops, and also off wooden pallets
of all places. The pallet wood many times is super strong and chosen
for that because it is handled by forklifts and other heavy equipment. Below a picture of commercial leather hammers. Reproduce in wood, even whittle 2x4.